Ryker

Monarch Club #1

by Briana Michaels

Placate her, play with her, then break her…
There’s nothing I haven’t done to claw my way to the top of my dark and dangerous world. Now, no one can touch me.
Or so I thought, until Tara Reed, a member of my elite club, the Monarch, exploits my only weakness to get her way.

And I let her.

She should have been more careful when she negotiated with me, because for the next thirty days, she’s trapped and at my mercy. She’ll tap out fast. I’ll make sure of it.

But the more time we spend together, lines blur and so do my intentions. Hate turns to hunger. Revenge becomes possession. This woman sets my teeth on edge and makes my body burn at the same time. Tara’s vicious, smart, cunning, and has as many painful secrets as I do. I’ll crack her open just to play with her demons, even if it takes letting mine out to play too.

Can we survive each other, or will the deal we made eventually destroy us both?

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, BDSM, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2024

About the author

Briana Michaels grew up and still lives on the East Coast. When taking a break from the crazy adventures in her head, she enjoys running around with her two children. If there is time to spare, she loves to read, cook, hike in the woods, and sit outside with a fire. She does all of this with the love and support of her amazing husband who always has her back, encouraging her to go for her dreams. Aye, she’s a lucky girl indeed.

Reviews

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Ryker came along way from his life from being an escort, which he hated but had to become of the health scare his mom had. To years later owning a sex club which he runs and makes sure everything runs smooth he doesn't get involved with anyone in the club just alittle obsessed with Tara who is in the club watching and looking around. They meet when they are looking at a property, and that's when he starts to hate her since her company wants to bid on the place he wants.

She does trick him a little. She wants to be a butterfly, Tara wants to let go have no worries and just be free from everything. So yes, a little bribe can't hurt, lol. They both get on eachothers buttons she pushes he pushes and he bids on her. She gets to be the butterfly and stay at the club for a month with a Dom of her choice she picks him. He fights the attraction and well be does things bad things as a dom when he pushes her. But I'm glad he always makes sure she uses the safe words.

There is a lot of tension and banter between the two. And a lot of trust when they finally open up to each other. We do get drama from her family, and I'm sad that her own mother would do and say stuff like that to her.


Safety - H was a sex worker, so it shows Flashbacks of him with ow and how he became a sex worker. He also tried to make h jealous when he talked to the woman from the auction to make her run away.
They also have a scene with another dom H friend in using a crop, nothing sexual just fhe H and h being whipped with one. To show h it doesn't hurt and trust.

Low angsty, om drama/no ow drama, no cheating, drama, sexy times, no virgins (H was a sex worker


Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶


Slowinsta
29h/32H
Pinning
Push away from H
Pleasure dom
Flashbacks
Mentions Parent death
Shibari
Praise kink
Tiny humiliation
Parent neglect
Somnophilia
Violence
Torture
Almost SA
Safe sex/no condom
Degradation
Public nudity
Voygiusm
Orgasm denial/control
Dom-sub undertones
Hate to love
Hea
Epilogue

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to read another Briana Michael’s book since Glitch and I was excited when this one was added to the challenge I was doing.

Ryker is the owner of a sex club and every month a lucky woman becomes the butterfly. The butterfly gets to spend the month with her favourite person at the club.

Tara is a woman that knows what she wants, until she gets it and is unsure of the rules. When she comes up against Ryker in a business deal she asks for the one thing he doesn’t want to give.

This type of Dom/club romance isn’t really my thing, but this book had some great qualities. The writing hooked me in and I was interested in the couple. Ryker doesn’t like to bend his rules but Tara gets under his skin and drives him crazy.


RARE25 Morally Grey Readathon. Book eight out of eighteen.

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a 3 star read but I want to come back to this series and I hardly ever go Back to 3 stars. This takes place in a sex club so there lots of smut The H sex club owner is a former escort. He has lots of mental stuff going on about that. The fmc is a step daughter of the city’s richest real estate magnate. She wants to experiment with a Dom. Anyways the H becomes her Dom for 30 days. You Kathie the story goes. The writing was good and I was engaged for about 50 percent then there was about 100 pages too much….

[Alisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars… idk it was fine? Like there were parts that I liked but some of it was a bit overdone. The FMC and MMCs dynamic was toxic and not in a fun way. The MMC needed some intense therapy but I guess that’s not as fun to read about.

[Rethika Athukorala · Rating 3 out of 5]

If both of these characters went to therapy this book would have been about 50% shorter. The spice however was spicing 🥵😮‍💨

[Trinity · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - stalker, death of a parent (cancer, recounted incl hospital visits and multiple flashbacks incl the death), grief, domestic violence (past, scs, mentioned), violence / assault incl knife violence, attempted rape / SA, underage sex work (16M, past), suicidal ideation (past, recounted), anxiety attack (on page), car crash (past recounted), parental abandonment (mentioned), infidelity (scs), self harm ideation (past, briefly mentioned), drug abuse (sc, past, mentioned, no drugs used on page), verbal / emotional abuse from a parent

CW - sex club (incl auctions), D/s, humiliation, degradation, restraints (ropes), sex machinery, fisting, impact play (flogger, spanking), light Somnophilia, sharing (not penetrative), light edging, switching, foreign objects, toys, collar, clamps

Tropes - sex club, touch her and die, obsession, darkish, erotica, rich

I was very much locked into this story in the beginning and seeing everything between Ryker (MMC) and Tara (FMC). Ryker owns a sex club and has become slightly obsessed with watching one of his patrons, Tara, walk around his club but not participate. One thing leads to another and Tara puts herself forward to be part of the next auction and Ryker doesn't know how to come out of this situation unscathed.

The characters were very hot and cold with each other for what I would say is too long and that is what ultimately brought the rating down for me as it started to feel like it was dragging. The MCs were extremelyyyy hot together and I enjoyed those scenes - never doubt Briana Michaels when it comes to smut 😉😉

I wish we had gotten more page time of the characters actually being on the same page as opposed to at odds with each other which was a constant theme throughout this

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List

[Carissa Caulum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: I really enjoyed this book. This is a dark romance so please check the trigger warnings. This book follows Ryker and Tara. Tara has been showing up at Ryker’s Club but not participating. Ryker has been watching her and one night she enters the butterfly auction and uses Rykers weakness to do it. I really did enjoy the storyline and the writing. I did not see the plot twist at the end coming. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I loved Tara bluntness and she was not afraid to speak her mind. There is a Dom/sub relationship in this book. I liked that they both got to be the Dom/sub in different circumstances. I can’t wait to read the next book.

Favorite Quote: “Our relationship is temporary and volatile. Addictive and unpredictable. Scorching hot and freezing cold.”

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
4.5 / 5 🌶️

Read this sucker in 1 day! I couldn’t put it down!

The story relays on our characters’ relationships with not so much plot. It held my attention and gave me all the feels! Can’t wait for book 2!!!

MF
Dual POV
0bsess3d OTTJP touch and ☠️ MMC
S€x club
Strong FMC
🌶🌶🌶🌶.5
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
🩶🩶🩶🖤🖤
HEA
Will give bookhole feels when completed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Petra Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor Ryker is just too much of an angsty mess. Both of their personalities kept changing in ways that felt implausible and manipulative.

I tried this one because I enjoyed Glitch and Click so much. Stick with those, they’re much better.

[Baby Got Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the main character owns a sex club genre! This had an interesting twist that it was more the FMC pushing and coercing the sexual interactions with the MMC in the beginning with him being actually incredibly reluctant and drawn to her at the same time. Lots of trauma (pretty dark themed sexual trauma for the MMC) on both sides. Very hurt/comfort vibes. It had both characters really peeling back the veneer and having to reveal some of the darkest parts of themselves.

Tara-hurt and lost in a toxic pretty abusive family dynamic, needing the physical and emotional release of being chosen as The Monarch....sex club sweepstakes kinda thing where the winner gets to chose a dom or doms to be at her beck and call for a month. Living and breathing sexual exploration.

Ryker-mysterious, dark, grumpy sex club owner who never doms The Monarchs....but finds himself drawn to Tara almost against his own set rules and allows himself to basically be blackmailed or at least maneuvered into having her not only win the Monarch role but choose him as her exclusive Dom. Which definitely triggers the shit out of him...you know dark past trauma.

A lot of push and pull, lots of sexual tension, anger, resentment and unlikely connection.

What we get:
Cum Play
Degradation
dom-sub
Cockwarming
forced orgasms' (until she passes out!)
Somno
Fisting
Toys in play
Voyeur (he likes to watch her on security cameras)
BDSM play
Hurt Comfort

I really enjoyed this start to what is hopefully a new series. Great characters with lots of side characters that already seem very intriguing! Keep em coming!

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept seeing how this guy was the best Dom ever and...no. I mean, it's just fiction, so it's not meant to be a guide for real life by any means. Obviously. I'm also not in the lifestyle, so I don't really have any skin in the game. I'm no expert and I only know what I read. I just felt like he had way too many personal issues and not enough control over himself to fully be what a Dom should be, at least not what he's hyped up to be.

The constant friction between these two gets old after a while, and I was just so confused about how they're supposed to have this D/s dynamic when they have no trust in each other. She can't trust him because he's deliberately treating her like shit by blowing hot then cold. He won't trust her when she's repeatedly telling him that she's good. He doesn't seem stable enough to continue certain scenes and isn't honest with her about it. A Dom can absolutely call it when he's not feeling okay, but be honest. That's what these dynamics are supposed to be all about, and if he was such a great Dom like the reader is told multiple times, then show us that.

I couldn't even get into the spice because it just seemed like these two could not stand each other and the emotional whiplash in every one of those scenes was too much. Bummer.

[Liz Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid 4.5/5 ⭐️

Having heard many great things about Briana Michaels, I was more than happy to dove into Ryker. It was a book that surprised me on many fronts.

Ryker
A spicy club owner, who’s made an impeccable name for himself and seems to be untouchable. Ryker is also a complex character with a lot of self loathing and battling some mental issues that come with his past and not being able to let go.
On the other hand , he’s caring, protective, nurturing and possessive over the people he loves and holds dear to his heart.
His friends, especially Dmitri, know him so well that he likes to aim where it hurts with truths.
His flaws, his joys, his softness, his submissions, his dominance. He can give you a whiplash with all his contradictions, but as his layers slowly peel back and more and more of his past is revealed, we get more of Ryker the great man.

Tara
A determined FMC who knows what she wants and is willing to step aside and let other opportunities pass by. Finally choosing herself and her putting her desires first. I liked her, though I felt her relationship with her stepbrother could’ve had a little more drama. As there was a little plot hole left what actually happened between them. Her state of limber/waking up and “fighting” air.

When these two characters finally open up and show their vulnerability it’s such a beautiful moment. It was a joy to read. Specifically a spicy scene where Ryker’s best friend teaches Tara the swinging ropes as she watches Ryker float into his own headspace. Him allowing her to see him so raw, open, accepting and vulnerable. It’s such an enjoyable moment to read about.

My stomach flipped and turned, getting entirely swarmed with butterflies when Ryker, once again, apologized. Tara’s response was PRICELESS.

Moments like being 57% in, having them arguing over trust and struggling with expressing feelings. Ryker blocking the door to prevent Tara from leaving and pressing his chest to her back, are moments that make you hold on to this story and make you crave more of them growing closer and eventually give in to one another.

Personal preferences:
- there’s quite a bit of shifting through names for Ryker. He also goes by Mr. Hudson & Sir. If it were distinct a little more I could’ve. “Mr. Hudson - sir - is going to learn just how far I’ll go to get what I want.” < sir could’ve been reserved only for dialogue, instead of using it in her inner monologue.
- Within chapters there’s a few times POV’s change. It always feels unnecessary and better off as its own chapter, no matter how short a chapter may be.
- The name ‘Tara Reed’ was a little distracting as it made me think of the actress ‘Tara Reid’ (also because of how she’s described in the book).

Favourite quotes:
“To see her with the same traits makes me want to save her. Protect her.” 😭

“Our relationship is temporary and volatile. Addictive and unpredictable. Scorching hot and freezing cold.” - that hit hard, because it truly the best way to describe their push and pull game for the last 72%.

If you’re looking for a character driven story with great spicy smut, this would be it.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up, because this book is a wild ride! From the very first page, I was hooked on Ryker and Tara's dark and intense story. The author does a phenomenal job of building suspense, and I found myself constantly wondering what would happen next.

Ryker is a complex character, a man with a tragic past who's been forced to do some pretty terrible things. But underneath that hardened exterior, there's a fierce loyalty and protectiveness that makes you root for him. Tara is equally strong and captivating. She's not your typical damsel in distress; she's a survivor who can hold her own. Their connection is undeniable, a raw and passionate bond forged in the fires of shared trauma.

The author's writing style is gritty and real. It doesn't shy away from the darkness of Ryker's world, but it's also laced with moments of tenderness and humor. The pacing is perfect, with enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat and enough character development to make you truly care about what happens to them.

This isn't just a story about love and violence, though there's plenty of both. It's also about healing, forgiveness, and finding strength in the face of adversity. The epilogue left me feeling satisfied and hopeful for Ryker and Tara's future. It also offered some surprising revelations about Ryker's past that really tied everything together.

If you're looking for a dark romance that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, then this is the book for you. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle the heat, it's a five-star read that will leave you wanting more.

[Skye Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spin-off/interconnected series of Next Level, Ryker is introduced to us first in Click. He owns the Monarch Club, an exclusive smut club for the elite.

It had some pretty heavy hitting emotions and flashbacks, dealing with the loss of a parent and the struggle of growing up being the provider for his mother, and the things Ryker had to do to survive.
Dmitri and Ryker had grown up together as kids, with Vault then Know joining the gang a bit later, all of them just trying to get through life and make something of themselves.
I felt like it dragged quite a bit though, could have been shortened and wouldn't have affected the flow or plot much I don't think.

Considering Ryker was known as on of 'the best' Doms, I'll be honest I don't see it. The first few scenes has him being careless and unobservant of his sub, letting her drop into subspace and unconciousness because he lost himself and wasn't observant enough; basic aftercare handling and just being an all around d!ck because he was scared of his own issues and tried to scare/push her away.

Neither of them actually trusted each other, which is the first rule of any D/s dynamic. Ryker was self damaging and volitile, Tara manipulated and lied to get her way as the Butterfly. They were so flip flop about it all throughout the book.

The FMC's name kept catching me off guard; Tara Reed; I honestly thought it was going to come out as some sort of joke or pseudonym.
There were some pretty smexy scenes and use of the play rooms/toys.
I did love 'that scene' with Dmitri, Ryker and Tara; I would definately be ok with more of that!

[BobbiJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left speechless

This book was toxic chaos… and I was here for it.

Tara and Ryker start off giving us the kind of relationship that makes you want to scream, curse, pull your hair out, and throw things. Hahaha they were both sooooo frustrating. But I absolutely loved them, and when they finally got their crap together… it was honestly pretty orgasmic.

Check your triggers on this, while I wouldn’t call it a dark romance, it does have dark themes. Both have their own traumas that are different but yet molded them both to be perfect for each other.

The spice in the was so great, the list of kinks is long. Some of the things that happen were kinda unsafe bdsm practices (especially in the beginning of their toxic tugging game), and I’m gonna be honest… Tara is horrible at NOT topping from the bottom almost constantly. Hahaha

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bring me to Hell & let the demons play…

I am finding the right words to describe how this book made me feel. In all honesty, I felt it all. Anger, humor, sadness, irritation, need, regret, salvation and most of all, healing. If you are new to Briana’s books, you really are missing out. She takes her readers on marvelous journeys. They aren’t always easy. They may absolutely shatter you, but man does she pick up the pieces so you feel whole again at the end. Ryker is not different. This book was everything I never knew I needed and MORE. The character development was out of this world. The world building with the Monarch club, absolutely phenomenal. This book will live rent-free in my head, heart and soul.

[Pippi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Briana Michaels delivers a dark, addictive romance in Ryker. The story is intense, emotionally charged, and brimming with heat, but what really stood out for me was the way Ryker himself was written. He’s dominant and commanding, but that strength is beautifully balanced with glimpses of vulnerability and heart. He felt layered, real, and easy to root for despite his morally grey edges. On the other hand, I struggled with the female lead. She came across as manipulative and calculating in a way that made it difficult to connect with her. While her complexity added tension to the story, her actions sometimes pulled me out of the romance instead of deepening it. However, Michaels’ writing style is engaging, with a steady pace that blends character development with action and emotion.

[jamies_bookreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Ryker HAF!!!

Holy Hotness! Sign me up for the Monarch club and to be the next Butterfly! Especially if they have Doms like Ryker. That man checks all the fantasy boxes and then some. Tara is my kind of FMC…she knows what she wants and just how to get it. These two have so many more sides to their characters than just the fantasies they share. Their past and current family problems cause them to face some real issues. It’s a hard fight to find themselves.

I really love this start to a new series and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Please check triggers and this is a darker romance. 18+

[jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been in love with Briana Michaels’ books since reading Glitch. Her Next Level series is one of my favorites. But I have a feeling the Monarch Club series is going to grip me tight.

Ryker’s story was a rollercoaster of toxicity, healing, drama and sex. I fell hard and fast for the mystery of who he really was and how the Monarch Club came to be. He was so complex and the perfect person to guide Tara both in the bedroom and in her own healing journey. I connected to Tara on such a personal level. Her character had so many layers to uncover and I was literally shook with her badassery at the end of the book! I hope they make an appearance in the other books!

[Jodie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2 STARS

Tropes
✔️BDSM

Spice Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ryker owns a sex club where Tara is a member and when she becomes the club’s butterfly and chooses Ryker as her dom, the two end up getting closer than they intended.

The spice in here was good but I wish the relationship between them had been developed a bit better some more angst would’ve been nice it felt like they went straight from kinda hating each other but still wanting each other to liking each other. I do like how they were both able to confide in each other about their past and experiences and find comfort in each other. Liked the happy ending and that both Ryker and Tara were able to move on with their lives.

[The Bookworm Hermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butterfly

Omg, where do I sign up to be a Butterfly because 🥵🔥🥵

Briana has again made me melt and beg for her characters. Tara is a bada$$ who is learning how to stand her ground, get what she wants, and to not let anyway put her down.

Ryker is running from his past and not facing it means he almost loses the most important part of his life.

This book brings the heat, spice, and character growth that makes you think this is a fairy tale brought to life.

Would love to learn more about Dimitri, Vault, and Knox .. hopefully with cameos from Tara and Ryker.

[Jen Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

CAN'T RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH

While the plot is mild and wholly rests on the characters' relationship, I was absolutely struggling to put this book down. Seriously, who needs sleep when the reading is this good!?! It was sooooooo much fun! Sir is hot af. Butterfly is a fun type of quirky and intelligent. I 💯 need more! While there is spice, it isn't overwhelming. HIGHLY 👏 RECOMMEND 👏
DCRish
Mf
Dual POV
0bsess3d OTTJP touch and ☠️ MMC
S€x club
Strong FMC
🌶🌶🌶🌶
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
🩶🩶🩶🖤🖤
HEA
Will give bookhole feels when completed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Amy Migs Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryker

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Troupes
Obsessive/possessive
BDSM
Smex club owner
Dom/sub
Enemies to lovers
Trauma bonding
Forced proximity

The toxicity of Ryker and Tara had me hooked from the beginning. When the FMC is just as unhinged as the MMC is a troupe, I didn't think I loved I so much. The push and pull did get a bit overdone, but made sense for the story. The spice is spicing from start to finish. That is the premise of the book, it works great with the story. It was a wonderful quick read. I needed a break from super dark books, and this was a great pick me up.

[MeganNorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!! Loved the character development. Both characters had such great backstories and I loved how they unraveled throughout the story. The spice was on point and ohh soo fricken hot. The heat, passion and all of it was just sooo good. Could not get enough of this book and praying there is going to be more!! The non main characters were very intriguing and I would love to see them have their own books too! Briana Michaels NEVER disappoints ❤️

[Demi Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is special. Though the spice is absolutely delicious, this book offers so very much more than just spice. Healing from guilt and shame, learning to let go of trauma and shake off toxic conditioning, the deep and supportive bonds of found family. The darkness of the story never felt gratuitous, and was written with compassion for it's casualties. I can't do it justice in a review, so it's probably best if you just read it.

[Dee Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. It felt very chaotic at first, but I stayed with it and I'm glad I did. Ryker and Tara, wow.....did they have A LOT of demons, but they were perfect for each other. Just the right amount of spice. Sometimes when you read books like this the spice happens every other page, even when it's not necessary. This book was done well.
The way the past flashbacks and present events were woven together was great to read. Some writers try, but fail. Briana did it very well. 4.5⭐️

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legit thought this was basically going to be pure smut and don’t get me wrong the spice was spicin but it was actually a story of mutual growth and development after trauma. Both MCs had had some shit go down and we’re letting it dictate their lives in a major way and although their journey together started and was heavily related to kink it honestly ended up being so much more and I really enjoyed it!

[Christina Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap who doesn’t want to be a Butterfly?!?🦋

This book is so freaking good, checks all of the boxes!!!
Great progression of story, with the perfect amount of backstory! The story of Ryker and Tara was written beautifully and the spice! Absolute fire!!! Loved all of it.

I really hope those side characters are screaming Briana because I need more of the Monarch world!!

[Ashley Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG @briana_michaels_author 👑
First of all, Ryker is the dom heart throb of my freaking dreams. Tattoos, broody, knows what he’s doing eh hem…you created a dream man. And then, AND THEN , you make him fall for the girl, touch her and die style. Boom I’m done, I need a book hiatus bc I miss Ryker already. ✌️ find me at the monarch 🦋

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy h🖤ll

This book. This F🔥king book is so layered and beautifully broken. The characters are so faceted and their pain and passions so intense. It really is a rare and raw gem that I was not expecting but should have knowing the intricacies that Briana Michaels can bring to the page. It’s a HEA through a legion of h🖤ll and worth the damnation to reach redemption